Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a trimmed-down West Bethlehem townhome plan just won approval.
Coming up: At Whitâs End â Acoustic Trio Blending Originals, Swing, and Americana | Formerly Woomer & Whitaker on the Bethlehem Patch…
Hey there, Bethlehem! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a trimmed-down West Bethlehem townhome plan just won approval.
- How Bethlehem’s $400K grant will reshape local homelessness services
- How close is Bethlehem’s long-delayed co-op grocery to finally opening?
Today's riddle: I got fired from the M&M factory. 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Bethlehemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 31 and low of 24 degrees.
- Sunday: Partly sunny and breezy, temps: high: 34, low: 20.
- Monday: Snow or flurries possible, with a high of 29 and low of 26 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Townhome project pitched for West Bethlehem dialed back; zoners OK relief (lehighvalleynews.com) — A five-unit townhome project on Eaton Avenue in West Bethlehem has cleared a key hurdle with Zoning Hearing Board approval for dimensional variances. Developers trimmed the original plan from six units to add more green space and slightly narrow parking areas, aiming to better fit the surrounding neighborhood. 
Find out what's happening in Bethlehemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. 13 Lehigh Valley agencies get $400K grant to fight homelessness (lehighvalleynews.com) — Bethlehem has secured a $400,000 federal Emergency Solutions Grant to channel directly to 13 local agencies fighting homelessness in Northampton and Lehigh counties. Acting as a pass-through, the city will help fund emergency shelters, rapid rehousing, and outreach—especially important after a recent homeless encampment along the Lehigh River in Bethlehem was cleared.
3. Grocery store's next projected opening date will be a firm one, Bethlehem Co-op Market tells members (wfmz.com) — Bethlehem residents still waiting on the long-promised Bethlehem Co-op Market are being told the next opening date won’t be announced until funding and partners are firmly in place. The co-op has about a $160,000 gap left to open its East Broad Street grocery and is asking its 1,700-plus members for support, with a public board meeting set for Jan. 26.
4. Swimming and diving notebook: Freedom junior jumps off snowboard and into the pool (lehighvalleylive.com) — Freedom High junior and Bethlehem Township resident Griffin Kleinle has traded national-level snowboarding for a fast-rising swimming career, training at the Bethlehem Community Center and already qualifying for districts. The notebook also spotlights standout performances by Parkland, Emmaus, and Freedom divers and swimmers across recent meets. Local fans get a snapshot of who’s setting records and chasing big postseason goals.
5. Want to read more in the New Year? Lehigh Valley school librarians recommend picks (mcall.com) — Bethlehem Area school librarians are sharing their favorite kid-friendly reads to help local families cut down on screen time this year. From silly picture books to thoughtful middle-grade and high school novels, their picks span ages K-12 and include titles that spark conversations about kindness, resilience, and community. East Penn and Parkland librarians also weigh in with winter-ready recommendations.
📸 Around Bethlehem
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Bethlehem
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- At Whitâs End â Acoustic Trio Blending Originals, Swing, and Americana | Formerly Woomer & Whitaker
Godfrey Daniels , 7 E. Fourth Street , Bethlehem
8:00 pm - First Sunday Open Mike Night
Godfrey Daniels , 7 E. Fourth Street , Bethlehem
7:00 pm - đżđ§ââď¸ Qigong: Meditation and Relaxation đżđ§ââď¸
bethlehem area public library , 11 W Church Street , Bethlehem
12:00 pm - NEMS Girls Basketball @ Eyer
Eyer Bethlehem, PA 18018
4:00 pm - đ¤đś Open Mic Night @BAPL đśđ¤
bethlehem area public library , 11 W Church Street , Bethlehem
5:00 pm - NEMS Boys Basketball vs Allentown Central Catholic @ Home
Home Bethlehem, PA 18018
4:00 pm - Gentle Yoga
Bethlehem Area Public Library , 11 W Church Street , Bethlehem
12:00 pm - NEMS Girls Basketball vs Allentown Central Catholic @ Home
Home Bethlehem, PA 18018
4:00 pm
Saturday January 3
Sunday January 4
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
Wednesday January 7
📣 Bethlehem Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- At Whitâs End â Acoustic Trio Blending Originals, Swing, and Americana | Formerly Woomer & Whitaker
Godfrey Daniels , 7 E. Fourth Street , Bethlehem
8:00 pm - First Sunday Open Mike Night
Godfrey Daniels , 7 E. Fourth Street , Bethlehem
7:00 pm - Line Dancing with Aleah
Seven Sirens Brewing Company , 327 Broadway , Bethlehem
7:00 pm - Hurlock & Hinton â A New Duo from Heather Hurlock & Brad Hinton, Blending Cinematic Dream Folk, Harmonies, and Songcraft | with our guest Emme Drago
Godfrey Daniels , 7 E. Fourth Street , Bethlehem
8:00 pm
Saturday January 3
Sunday January 4
Wednesday January 7
Saturday January 10
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Bethlehem PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Happy New Year!
Yes RUSH! I remember seeing them countless of time at AG Hall, Allentown fairgrounds. I start with 2112 this year. Why? Rush sings of conflict and… (Nextdoor Miller Heights) - This has been poking at me.
Since Tuesday was recycling pick up, I took three containers out Monday evening, 2 green ones and 1 blue one. One of the green container was full of… (Nextdoor Bethlehem West)
- Lehigh University posted a job opening for Assistant Director, Fraternity & Sorority Life - Panhellenic Advisor in Bethlehem. Apply here.
- Papa John's posted a job opening for Shift Leader in Bethlehem. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bethlehem here.
Ok Bethlehem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I kept throwing out all the W’s.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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